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Alpena girls tennis team hopes to benefit from larger roster this season

News Photo by Jonny Zawacki The Alpena girls tennis team from left to right is, back:Gisella King, Emeline Hanna, Brianna Decker, Kayla Bullock, Taylor Belanger, Claire Butch, Katherine Sharp, Emily Kozlowski, Kate Schultz and Lara King; front: Agnes Du-Mesnildot, Breann Kieliszewski, Brynna Smith, Angela Salacata, Yuka Yamano, Kate Foust and Rose Cornelius.

The Alpena High School girls tennis team has steadily improved over the last few years under head coach Charlie Giordano.

The Wildcats enter the season with a larger roster as more girls came out this year and the increased numbers will likely benefit Alpena as they look to continue improving throughout the new season.

“We are really excited. We have nine new players which is exciting and scary at the same time. You lose some players at key positions and get some new ones that you hope can step in and fill their shoes,” Giordano said. “It’s nice to see some good younger talent come out and start playing.”

The Wildcats will have 18 players, with a good mix of veterans and new talent. Despite the increased numbers, Giordano didn’t feel it was quite enough to carry a JV team, so Alpena will have 12 full time varsity players, along with six alternates.

“It’s great to have a big team. Everyone practices together and everyone makes each other better, it doesn’t matter whether your the one singles player or the last alternate, everybody hits with everybody and it’s equal playing,” Giordano said.

Kayla Bullock will return and play No.1 singles this season after playing No. 3 singles a year ago. Kate Schultz will be playing No. 2 singles. Yuka Yamano is a left-handed exchange student that will be playing No. 3 singles. Brynna Smith will make the transition from doubles last season to No. 4 singles this year.

“Kayla has definitely come into her own and started keeping control of the ball and not over hitting. Kate and Agnus are two lefties which is great to have at No.1 and No. 2 because lefties can frustrate opponents and Brynna has a lot of power and once she controls that power and keep everything in play she’s going to do real well,” Giordano said.

The duo of Emily Kozlowski and Katherine Sharp will return to lead at No. 1 doubles. Emeline Hanna, Brianna Decker, Taylor Belanger, Claire Butch, Lara King, Breann Kieliszewski, Angela Salacata, Katie Foust Rose Cornelius and Agnes Du-Mesnildot make up the rest of the Wildcats roster and all look to play a role in Alpena’s success this year.

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